10x12 Focus Area:
Zero Waste
October 2011
WWU spends more than $375,000 dollars per year for landfill waste disposal, in spite of the fact that the AS Recycle Center diverts over 850 tons of waste from landfill annually. Waste audits of campus dumpsters and outdoor trash cans reveal that 85% of material currently going to landfill could be recycled or composted. According to campus waste audits, recyclable material makes up 48% of WWU dumpster content. Food scraps, food-soiled paper and compostable plastic make up 37%. Landfill waste could be reduced to 15% of current levels, if recyclable and compostable materials were separated throughout the waste stream.
Reducing landfill waste will depend on appropriate sorting at the point of disposal, as well as systems for collection and transport. Appropriate sorting is the responsibility of the consumer as well as individuals employed by recycling collection companies. The AS Recycle Center's "Blue Barrels" have been on campus since the 1970's. Newer campus buildings are designed according to LEED specifications and include multi-bin waste sorting stations for recycling and compost. These sorting stations can be found in the Academic Instructional Center, Miller Hall, Communications, and other academic buildings. Arntzen Hall has been retro-fitted with sorting stations that accept compostable food waste and food containers, mixed paper, and various plastics, glass, and metal.
WWU waste reduction efforts are supported by the 10x12 program, with "Put Waste in the Right Place" tools, a classroom waste reduction pilot project in Arntzen Hall, and composting paper towel and non-biohazard waste generated in Biology labs. Facilities Management, The Office of Sustainability and the WWU Air and Waste Management Association are committed to eliminating all recyclable and compostable waste from the WWU Waste stream and purchasing only recyclable and compostable items. Through education, waste analysis, operational changes, and personal action, WWU is committed to becoming a "zero waste" institution.